Tigers focused on continuing success

Coming off a dominating 35-7 victory over Jackson last Thursday, the Alcovy varsity football team seems to be running on all cylinders.

A high-powered offense that has been able to strike for big plays when needed, coupled with a stingy defense, has allowed the Tigers to race out to a 3-1 record for the first time since 2009.

The Tigers look to continue their hot start tonight, but must do so on the road against Luella in Locust Grove.

"Right now, we know that we're getting better every week and that is important," Alcovy coach Kirk Hoffman said. "The kids also know that every Friday night each team goes back to 0-0. What we've done in the past is over and we have to get ready to play each ball game. That's how we've prepared for each game."

The Tigers picked off a pair of passes last week against the Red Devils, converting the turnovers into touchdowns.

Hoffman said that this week the Tigers must continue to win the turnover battle against the Lions.

"The biggest thing for us is to continue to limit mistakes," he said. "Luella has some kids that can make some big plays on both sides of the ball which means we have to limit mistakes and stay on our blocks defensively."

Luella enters the game with a 2-2 overall record, defeating Henry County 24-21 a week ago.

Hoffman said that the Lions' stable of athletes could give the Tigers fits if left unchecked.

"If they get athletes in space, we could be in trouble," he said. "We have to make sure that we corral their speed and play very sound football."

Alcovy defeated Luella by three points in non-region play a season ago, but Hoffman is more concerned with how the team is progressing now over past trends.

"Any time you win you feel like you're improving and getting better," Hoffman said. "We don't need, or want to, take that step backwards.

"We have gone past our expectations as a program in the few short years we have been here," he said. "Now we want to raise the bar a little big and expect more. Life is about getting better every day. I think that our kids are always trying to push towards that goal."

The match-up against the Lions is the last non-region game for the Tigers this year.